Three trips toCape Lookout

We made three trips to Cape Lookout over the Memorial Day Weekend. The two hour ocean voyage along Shackelford banks allowed us to see a whole host of sea birds and aquatic mammals.
The birds included, Sooty Shearwaters, Greater Shearwaters, Wilson's Storm Petrels, loons and immature Ganets. The shrimp boats,while trawling, had collected dozens of dolphins,feeding behind the boat.
We saw at least 6 Loggerhead turtles in the turtle hole and two Kemp's Riddly Turtles at the jetty while we where snorkeling.
We also visited the light house and then went to Shackelford to see the horses. We also saw a deer on Cape Lookout. That's a first.

Future openings:
June 7th, turtle trip and snorkeling at Cape Lookout.
June 8th, 8 hour sail to Cape Lookout, two openings

Whales and Tales

Good Fortune made two sails off shore today. The wind was North East at 16 K. Protected by Cape Lookout we sailed in smooth seas with a great wind. The wildlife was abundant and the water was incredibly clear. Dolphins could be seen ten feet under the bow. A Large pod was followed for about fifteen minutes as the young leaped from the water. We also saw a Sooty Shearwater, a rare sight in these latitudes. The fishing was good with a large blue fish and a spanish mackerel coming home with us.
This time of year a trip to Cape Lookout features a trip to the "turtle hole". There are more numbers and varieties of turtles in the "hole" then any other spot on the east coast. The numbers are greatest in June with fewer in July and August.

April 14th marine science course aboard

Good Fortune and crew hosted a field trip for marine science students from Queens College on Saturday April 14th. The weather was perfect, with NE wind at 10 to 15 K and lots of sun. We had a great sail out to Cape Lookout and anchored off the west beach. We saw dozens of northern gannets and dolphins on the out bound sail. The carolina skiff was launched and students were shuttled to the beach. A dead baby dolphin and two dead loggerhead turtles were spotted and examined. The students collected at least one large knobbed whelk each. A large queen helmet, in nice condition, was also found. We also explored the rock jetty for invertebrates and algae. We crossed the island, to the bay side, and explored the spartina marsh for small fish and looked for more winter/kill turtles. Every one was hungry and tired when we returned to Good Fortune. The return trip was down wind through a water fall of diving gannets raining into the water. You don't see that every day. The spring beach holds the treasures of winter without the tourist pressure on wildlife and shell populations. This is our best shelling time.
This is what Good Fortune Coastal Ecology Sails is all about.

Capt. Ron

On the beach at Cape Lookout

Good Fortune left the dock at 9:00 am and anchored at the Cape at 11:30. A fast lunch and launch the shore boat. The beach shore line was covered with fresh shells washed ashore from multiple winter storms. A large Loggerhead turtle was freeze dried on the beach. The birds present where Pelicans, loons, gannets,cormorants, and offshore the ever present bottle nosed dolphin. No other people, just the local wildlife.
We have a trip going to Shackleford Banks on the 14Th with room for one more person. It will be a 6 hr. trip, 9:30 to 3:30 for $60/person.
You may reserve at 252-241-6866

Winter shelling

The weekend of the 10th of March is reported to be 65 degrees with a 5 to 10 knot breeze. The shelling on Shackleford and Cape Lookout this time of year is unequaled on the east coast. Saturday looks like the best day. We will restrict the trip to Shackleford if the ocean is too rough. the trip will depart from our winter slip in Morehead City at 9:00 am and return at 4:00 pm. The cost will be $70 per person for the 7 hour trip.
Call for reservations at; 252-241-6866

February 24th trip to Shackelford Banks

It was 39 degrees when we left the dock in Peltier creek. The wind was north at 15 so we set sail east in the intracoastal waterway for shackleford banks. The plan was to go ashore and search for ponies and great shells. The horses where easy. Two groups of five each where there to welcome us to the island. They are in good shape with fat bellies and lots of hair.
The ocean beach was loaded with great shells, big and small. Dolphins swam in the surf right in front of us the whole time we where there. The trip back was filled with large numbers of cormorants, loons and more dolphins. The temperature hit 55 buy 2 pm and the wind laid down.
It was a great day for both boys and their much relaxed mom.

The boat is running again

February 19th 2007

The engine room noise insulation is finally installed. In the process of removing all of the appliances from the walls including lights, fuel and oil filters and many wires, I have decided to replace most of them due to age and different levels of rust. What the heck, it's only money.
The walls are very white now and all the filters are new and shiny. One of the gizmo's I removed and did not replace was the Algae X magic fungus remover. The gismo was purchased at the Miami boat show in 1968 to clean the fuel before it reached the engine. the only thing it ever did was clog slam full of sludge and stop the engine. One hundred dollars of snake oil off the wall and into the trash.
Good fortune is now running again and ready to hit those spring beaches full of shells and other wonderful things. March and April are great for beach combing since mother nature has been left alone to do here wonders all winter. Its still too cold for swimming but the beach is loaded with treasures.